The southern end of the trail (the first part) is a bit sandy, but the payoff beyond is well worth the trouble!
The trail varies between slickrock and dirt (some minor sand spots after the first portion). It drops in and out of several small but steep canyons. The downs rip, and the climbs test your legs and technical skills. The trail ends at Dalton Wells Rd.
Turn around and ride the trail back. This is where it really gets fun. The return is more downhill than up, and while you still have to conquer the canyon climbs, the return is a much higher speed romp!
One shop recommended this trail as a loop using several miles of sandy dirt road (both Willow Springs and Dalton Well) as well as a couple of miles on the highway. If you do it as a loop start at Dalton Well and ride north to south to get the benefit of the downhill.
There is no benefit to the loop option unless you find the trail to be beyond your abilities. As an out and back, the trail rocks! And you don't save any real time making it a loop. I think the distance is greater, and the roads are sandy and not fun to ride.
I strongly recommend the out and back starting from Willow Springs to get the downhill run at the end rather than the beginning.
I guess you could do this as a shuttle too, but again, Why???
I am setting skill level at intermediate, but there are some challenging sections. Other riders might call this an advanced trail.
It is Moab's only full singletrack ride! Check it out!!!

Go North on 191 out of Moab. After passing 313 to Canyonlands begin watching for Willow Springs Rd (a dirt road) on the right. Turn here. The gate will not be locked. Be sure to leave it as you found it.Follow this road for a couple of miles (not sure of distance). Watch for a pumping station on the right. Park on the left. Ride your bike a short distance past the pumping station watching for a dirt road that turns off to the left. Follow this road until it enters a dry-wash. In the wash turn left and follow the single track from there.

Summary:I rode Sovereign and Salt Wash in late December, so I imagine trail conditions were better than other times of the year (i.e. perfect weather, short sand sections were all ridable). Rode up Sovereign out-and-back, then rode Salt Wash up / Sovereign back. Both singletracks are relentless in intermediate obstacles (challenging short climbs, rock ledges, boulders, etc) with Salt Wash being a bit more difficult. Keeps you on your toes the whole time and entertained throughout the entire ride. Definitely worth the trip to Moab.

Recommended Route:Start at Willow Springs Trailhead, up Sovereign to Intersect #6, down Salt Wash to Intersect #4, down Sovereign back to trailhead.

Would you like to Comment?Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Summary:This was my first Moab ride, completely met expectations, and gassed me out on day 1. From what I understand, Sovereign has new sections, and it was very well organized with signs to keep you on track, and the motorized on their tracks. We did it as an out-n-back, I rode it HT 29er, which was ideal for handling some of the technical and enjoying the flow. I would call this intermediate +, with a few advanced sections worth admiring that I needed to walk. Heart rate workout, some power climbs, and real nice flow. If this is the "new Moab" the future is looking good!

Recommended Route:Out and back, great both ways.

Other recommended trails in the same area:Baby Steps as a follow up ride if you are looking for something one notch down.

Would you like to Comment?Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Summary:NiteRider took a wrong turn...or failed to turn - I did the same thing last weekend on my first Sovereign Ride. There is a left turn left less than 1/8 mile from the parking area that leads to the trail; if you don't take this turn then you'll end up taking a back way into Arches National Monument.
What a sweet ride! This is some of the sweetest singletrack that Moab has to offer. The flow is fantastic both ways and it has a little bit (or a lot) of everything: good, challenging climbs, fun descents, fun, do-able techicals, dirt, slickrock, etc. I'm coming back to this trail!

Recommended Route:Out and Back

Other recommended trails in the same area:Blue Buffalo but I forgot where it is.

Would you like to Comment?Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Summary:Obviously NightRider took the Jeep Road and did not ride the single track! I know he did not clean the entire 16 miles. This is the new Moab. If your tired of all the Jeep road Who Ha riding and sick of the Classics this it the Singletrack for you. Its a blast.

Recommended Route:Start at Willow Springs and do the out and back

Other recommended trails in the same area:The New M.O.A.B. trails are a fun warm up in early spring riding. Something new to play on.

Would you like to Comment?Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Summary:this trail is an absolute joke. no vert, countless sand pits, zero technical difficulty. just a complete waste of time. i cannot understand the rave reviews or all of the love that this trail receives. this is probably the worst trail i have ever ridden. simply put, this trail sucks! all i can say is WHY?

Recommended Route:skip this trail and ride portal or something else that is worth your time

Would you like to Comment?Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.